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Wednesday 31 July 2024

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INTERNAL ASSIGNMENT APPLICABLE FOR SEPTEMBER 2024 EXAMINATION

 

Business: Ethics, Governance & Risk

Q1. “Business should Respect and Promote Human Rights.” Prepare an executive summary (in your own words) to showcase how the company is delivering on this Principle 5 of the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC) from the Business Responsibility & Sustainability Report 2022-23 (BRSR) of a company of your choice. Choose any ONE listed company from the BSE/NSE list of top 100 companies by market capitalization. You must mention the name of the selected company and include the weblink to its BRSR. (You may also refer to the company website or its sustainability report for additional information on this principle and its indicators) DO NOT copy paste.

Q2. Go through the ‘Management Discussion & Analysis’ section in the annual report (FY2022-23) of the company selected in Q1 and prepare an analytical write up (in your own words) on all the risks identified by the company and the mitigation/management strategy/action deployed to manage each of those risks. Conclude with your learnings or insights about risk management in this company. (You may need to look at other sections covering risks in the integrated report or annual report of the company. Please mention the name of the company and include the weblink to its annual report 2022-23. DO NOT copy paste.

Q3. Albert, a Customer Relations Executive from your Southeast Asia third party manufacturing vendor will visit your Head Office to meet with your sales team. Your independent Southeast Asian agent requests that you reimburse the Customer Relations Executive for his expenses, including personal expenses that could violate your company's policies. The independent agent promises to reimburse you.

A. Explain the process/steps you will follow to handle this situation?

B. We need Ethical Managers more than ever today. Briefly explain what are the five most important values/virtues that help/guide a manager take ethical decisions, according to you.

 

Research Methodology

Q1. A consultancy company providing services in the area of Digital Transformation and Analytics is seeing a considerable amount of attrition among its employees. The company is interested in reducing the level of attrition as the cost of recruiting new employees is adding to the burden of its overall cost. Discuss the management problem and convert it into a research problem. Write down the research plan for this study.

Q2. You have been working in HDFC bank as marketing manager. You have to study the relationship between new adverting campaign themes and customer’s liking of the campaign. Explain independent, dependent and extraneous variables for this study. State the design of experiment, null and alternative hypothesis for this situation. What are the potential threats of internal and external validity?

Q3. The real estate boom has seen significant rise after the pandemic is over from last two years. The prices of mid-size flats for the middle class has gone up considerably. One of the real estate branded company (Paradise Group) has been following ethical practices and RERA (Real Estate Regulatory authority) standards. They have been providing Semi-furnished housing, quality material, timely possession and legal rights to its customers. However, the prices offered by Company is slightly higher than those of customers in the same area/zone. They relied on both paid adverting and word of mouth (WOM) promotion as they believe in real estate has to leverage both.

a. Develop suitable research questions, research objectives and variables to be studied and measured.

b. Develop a suitable questionnaire for answering the developed research problems and objectives. Explain the type of scale after each question.

 

Financial Institutions and Markets

Q1. As a financial advisor at your advisory firm, you have a client who is seeking to diversify their investment portfolio by venturing into capital market instruments alongside their existing investments. This discussion will enable your client to make informed decisions regarding their investment strategy and portfolio diversification. Assist your client by providing comprehensive insights into various capital market instrument including their key characteristics.

Q2. Sunshine Ltd. Corporation, a fast-growing technology start-up, is poised for expansion and seeks to raise capital to fund its ambitious growth plans. The company's management team, led by CEO John Ceth, recognizes the importance of strategically accessing the primary market to secure the necessary funds. As an advisor to the company, help the corporation to provide a brief overview on the numerous techniques as how the corporation can raise fresh capital in the primary market.

Q3A. “The capital market, a crucial component of the global financial system, serves as a platform for investors to buy and sell securities, facilitating the allocation of capital to businesses and governments. However, amidst the myriad opportunities for growth and investment, instances of scams and fraudulent activities have tarnished the integrity of the capital market “. Provide examples of regulatory interventions and their impact on restoring investor confidence. Conclude with recommendations for enhancing regulatory effectiveness in combating financial misconduct.

Q3B. India's financial sector plays a crucial role in driving economic growth and stability. As MBA students specializing in finance, it is imperative to have a comprehensive understanding of the regulatory landscape governing financial institutions in India. Discuss the various financial Regulatory Institutions in India with their functions.

 

International Finance

1) At time of analysis of any particular Economy bird eye view by IMF, why usually Balance of Payment paves the Important aspect? Explain the paradigm from its Current Account pt. of view.

2) As per Mr. Gustav Cassel, PPP (Purchase Power Parity) rate is more crucial than normal OTC (Exchange rate). Kindly elaborate the effectiveness of PPP Theory with its global features along with its Mathematical Application in International Finance regime.

3) a) What is the Cruciality of EEFC Account? How come the era of EEFC A/C helps Global Traders for Non conversion of FOREX into Domestic Currency?

b) Elaborate as how Translation Risk forms one of very IMP FOREX Risks.

 

Strategic Financial Management

Q1. Oxford Corporation is evaluating a new project that requires an initial investment of INR 15,00,000. The project is expected to generate cash flows over the next five years, but there is considerable risk surrounding these cash flows due to market volatility. Based on the company's analysis, the following information is available:

• The initial investment is INR 15,00,000

• The expected cash flows from the project for each year are as follows:

Year 1: INR 4,00,000

Year 2: INR 5,00,000

Year 3: INR 6,00,000

Year 4: INR 7,00,000

Year 5: INR 8,00,000

• The discount rate for the project is 10% and the Risk adjusted discount rate is 20%

1. Determine the Net Present Value (NPV) using the Risk adjusted discount rate.

2. Can the project be accepted, if the risk adjusted discount rate is increased to 25%

Q2. The board of directors of Varun Limited are deliberating over its dividend policy. As a financial analyst, you've been tasked with providing recommendations regarding dividend policy that align with the company's goals and objectives. Considering the various factors influencing dividend policy decisions, analyze and provide recommendations for Varun Limited’s dividend policy.

Q3a. Digital Gadgets Ltd pays INR 10 as annual preference dividend and has the required rate of return as 12%. Compute the market price of the preference shares of Digital Gadgets Ltd? Will you buy this share if it is currently selling at INR 80 per share?

Q3b. Call Option on stock of Arvind Ltd. having expiration date of 31 Dec 2024 at a Strike price (K) of Rs.2500 is available at an option premium of Rs.200. Compute the profit/loss when the spot price is INR 2800 on 31 Dec 2024.

 

Taxation- Direct and Indirect

Q1. How does the implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST) resonate with the concept of 'one nation, one tax', and what are its implications for businesses and consumers in simplifying the indirect tax system of the country?

Q2. The following are the particulars of income of Ms. Sushmita for the previous year ended 31st March 2023. She is employed in a private institution.

1. Basic Salary Rs.9000 p.m.

2. Bonus equal to 2 months’ salary

3. Tiffin allowance Rs. 150 p.m.

4. Entertainment allowances Rs. 120 pm

5. Employee’s contribution to RPF @ 15% of salary.

6. Employer’s contribution to RPF @ 15% of the salary.

7. Interest credited to the provident fund @ 9.5% p.a is Rs. 5600

8. She is provided with free lunch in office. The cost per meal is Rs. 30.

9. The employer has given her a small car which she uses for personal as well as official

purpose. She meets the expenses of the car which is used for personal purposes. Compute her income from salary for the assessment year 2023-24.

Q3. a) How does the Income Tax Act of 1961 elaborate on the criteria and conditions that determine the residential status of an individual for the purposes of taxation within India?

b) Considering the case of Mr. Potter, a foreign national, who arrived in India for the first time on June 15, 2017. Over the financial years 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022- 23 he spent 120 days, 115 days, 15 days, 191 days, 124 days, and 80 days in India, respectively. Determine Mr. Potter's residential status for the Assessment Year 2023-2024.

 

Retail Banking

Q1. The Retail Banking segment has become extremely competitive and hence it has become challenging for Retail banks to setup strategies to establish their presence, and grow in the market by reaching to as many customers as possible. Discuss the various Corporate level marketing strategies deployed for the same. Also discuss the need and relevance of distribution management

Q2. The banking transactions has seen a drastic shift in the payment mechanism especially post covid. Discuss the relevance of a payment system in the context of the retail banking scenario by enlisting the various payment systems. Explain any three such payment systems in detail.

Q3. Retail banks have faced a long-standing challenge in the form of repayment defaults which may convert to non-performing assets (NPAs) in many cases. Thus banks need to critically evaluate their lending process. Discuss the following aspect of Credit provision in Retail banking a. Discuss the basic lending principles followed by retail banks.  b. Discuss the components of the credit score and the importance of the CIBIL score.

 

Corporate Finance

1. M/s Anuradha Ltd. has a long-term fund requirement of Rs. 45 lacs for putting up a new

manufacturing unit. The following options of funding are available.

a) It can raise a perpetual debt @ an interest rate of 9% p.a.

b) It can issue bonds of Rs. 100 each, at a discount of 10%. Coupon rate of 6%. Bonds have a term of 5 years.

c) Issue Preference shares at a discount of 5%, redeemable at par after 6 years. Rate of Dividend is 8%

d) Invest retained earnings to the extent of 50% and take a loan from the bank for the balance at 8.5% interest rate for a period of 4 years. Equity holders expect a return of 15% from the business. Corporate Tax rate is 30%. Which option would the firm choose? What should be some of the factors that a company should consider while raising Debt from the market (mention any 4 factors)

2. Calculate the Cash Cycle for M/s ABC Traders Ltd. which is in the business of buying and selling garments. The following information is available for the firm.

Opening Balances                                         Amt. Rs.

Inventory                                                        10,000

Debtors                                                           40,000

Creditors                                                         10,000

Closing Balances

Inventory                                                        30,000

Debtors                                                           60,000

Creditors                                                         20,000

Costs Incurred during the year

Total Purchases (50% on credit)                    12,00,000

Selling Expenses                                             80,000

Administrative Expenses                                25,000

Total Sales (80% on credit)                            15,00,000

Assume 360 days in a year. The average cash cycle in the same industry is around 10 days. Comment on the cash cycle of M/S ABC Ltd. The Finance Manager is looking at the cash collection process critically and wants to reduce the Cash Cycle. What steps would you suggest her as her assistant?

3. a) Mr. Ramesh wants to plan to fund for his son’s education. He estimates that once his son is 21 years of age, he shall require to make a provision of about Rs. 5,00,000 for his college fees. His son is now 15 years of age. How much shall Mr. Ramesh invest today to make adequate provisions? He is also contemplating to make a fixed investment every year instead of a total investment today. How much should he invest each year to get the same amount of fees? The current rate of interest is around an average of 8%.

b) Prepare cash budget of M/s Nirma Ltd. with the following information available.

Jan. 23 Feb. 23 Mar. 23

Sales 200,000 150,000 265,000

Raw Materials Purchase 160,000 135,000 190,000

Manufacturing Expenses 22,000 15,000 35,000

Selling & Other Expenses 10,000 9,000 10,000

Opening Cash balance was Rs. 15000 for Jan. 23. Opening Debtors were Rs. 52500.

Sales are typically 75% in cash and 25% credit, which are received in next month. There was a scheduled loan repayment of Rs. 25000 in Feb. 23. All expenses are assumed to be paid for in cash.

 

Strategic Cost Management

1) ABC Ltd. produces 3 products A, B & C. The following data is available for the year ended 31st March 2023.

Product A Product B Product C

Production Qty (Units) 4,000 3,000 1,600

Total Machine hours for production 60 30 20

Resources Per Unit -

Direct Material (Kgs) 4 6 3

Direct Labour (Mins) 30 45 60

Cost of Labour is Rs. 10 per hour and material cost Rs. 2/kg. Production Overheads (Fixed) were Rs. 99,450. ABC Ltd. used Traditional Costing method and absorbed the Overheads to products based on Labour hour rate. It is now considering to adopt Activity Based Costing method. The following information was digged out and analysed by the Cost Accountant. Overheads were comprised of the following: Material Handling Rs. 29,100, Storage Costs Rs. 31,200 and Power Cost Rs. 39,150. Further the area occupied for storage of materials was in the ratio of 2:1:3. Prepare Cost sheet showing Unit cost and Total cost of each product using both Traditional Costing and ABC methodology.

2) Sitaram Ltd. is an ice cream manufacturer company. Its current revenue is Rs. 650,000 a month and a 40% contribution margin. Its fixed costs are Rs. 200,000. Ghanshyam Ltd. is another player in the ice cream business with a current sales of Rs. 420,000 and a 30% contribution margin. Its fixed costs are Rs. 90,000.

a) What is the margin of safety for Sitaram and Ghanshyam Ltd? Compare the margin of safety in value between the two companies. Which is stronger?

b) Compare the margin of safety in percentage between the two companies. Now which one is stronger?

c) Prepare a budget for both companies showing their estimated profit at the current levels and at 75% of the current capacity. State your observations with respect to the Profit/Loss levels in both situations and their relation to Margin of Safety percentage.

3) a) Precision Limited is motor manufacturer. The company currently produces three different models of motors. It also produces all the blades of the motors as it requires. The requirement is of 3 different blades for each motor model (i.e. 9 different blades). Precision Limited received a proposal from a supplier who wants to sell the company blades for the motors line. The supplier would charge Rs. 25 per blade, regardless of blade type. For the next year the Company has projected the costs of its own blade production as follows (based on projected volume of 10,000 units):

Direct materials Rs. 75,000

Direct labour Rs. 65,000

Variable overhead Rs. 55,000

Fixed overhead

Factory supervision Rs. 35,000

Other fixed cost Rs. 65,000

Total production costs Rs. 2,95,000

Assume:

(1) the equipment utilized to produce the blades has no alternative use and no market value,

(2) the space occupied by blade production will remain idle if the company purchases rather than makes the blades, and

(3) factory supervision costs reflects the salary of a production supervisor who would be dismissed from the firm if blade production is ceased. Determine the net profit or loss if the blades are purchased rather than manufactured.

b) Priya Motors is planning to coming up with a new electric car. The promotor of the company has been conducting research in this field on and off for the past 2 years. The approximate amount spent on the R&D till date is Rs. 2 lacs. The cost of production of the vehicle is estimated to be Rs. 3 lacs. Marketing and promotional expenses are to the tune of Rs. 50,000. Based on prior experience, car has a after sales service expenses of Rs. 25,000 on an average during its life time. Being an electric car the cost is estimated lower at Rs. 20,000. If the company wants to earn a profit margin of Rs. 40,000 per car, at what price should Priya Motors price it? (Time value of money is ignored) What is the approach used for costing the car? Considering the stage of the product, what should be the considerations for spending on the following costs: a) Advertisement b) Maintenance cost.

 

Decision science

1. Consider the following data on the categories of YouTube Shorts and their views. The table shows the number of YouTube Shorts in each category that have been classified as either "High Views" (more than 1,000,000 views) or "Low Views" (1,000,000 views or less).

 Category

High Views

Low Views

Music

50

100

Comedy

30

170

Education

20

180

Gaming

40

160

Travel

10

190

i. What is the probability that a randomly selected YouTube Short is in the Music category?

ii. What is the probability that a randomly selected YouTube Short has High Views?

iii. What is the probability that a randomly selected YouTube Short has Low Views?

iv. If a YouTube Short is known to be in the Comedy category, what is the probability that it has High Views?

v. If a YouTube Short is known to have High Views, what is the probability that it is in the Gaming category?

2. Use 4 month moving average, and 5 month moving average too. For which moving average Mean Square Error is less?

Month

Total views on YouTube channel

Jan-23

10484

Feb-23

10884

Mar-23

13372

Apr-23

14742

May-23

16141

Jun-23

17210

Jul-23

17303

Aug-23

18132

Sep-23

18208

Oct-23

19099

Nov-23

20936

Dec-23

21914

Jan-24

22892

Feb-24

23870

Mar-24

24848

Apr-24

25826

May-24

26803

Jun-24

27781

3. a) Use an appropriate chart to show the contribution of each category of sales with conclusion. Rahul has this channel and offers a variety of content to users.

category

Average Views

Music

1,200,000

Comedy

800,000

Education

600,000

Gaming

900,000

Travel

700,000

3. b) Suppose we have the duration (in seconds) of 10 YouTube Shorts videos: 120, 130, 140, 125, 135, 150, 128, 132, 142, and 155. Calculate the mean (average) duration of these videos.

 

 

Organisation Culture

1. Examine how Hofstede's Cultural Dimensions influence an organisation's internal practices and employee behaviours. Discuss the implications of high vs. low Power Distance and Individualism vs. Collectivism on organisational communication and teamwork, using examples from multinational corporations?

2. Using Handy's Organisational Culture Model, evaluate how the typology of culture (Power Culture, Role Culture, Task Culture, and Person Culture) within an organisation influences its operations, employee engagement, and strategic agility. Provide an example of an organisation for each type of culture discussed, highlighting the impact of culture on the organisation's success and challenges.

3. FinTech Innovators, a prominent player in the financial technology sector, finds itself at a pivotal moment of organisational evolution. Historically entrenched in a Role Culture characterized by rigid hierarchies and defined job roles, the company has embarked on a transformative journey towards adopting a Task Culture. This strategic shift is motivated by the recent acquisition of a startup specializing in financial analytics, a move that not only diversifies FinTech Innovators' portfolio but also introduces a cultural amalgamation challenge.

This transition aims to foster a more flexible and responsive organisational environment, conducive to innovation and enhanced customer service. However, the path is fraught with potential pitfalls, reminiscent of historical integration failures such as the ill-fated merger between Burger Chef and General Foods. These examples serve as cautionary tales, highlighting the critical importance of careful cultural integration to avoid operational inefficiencies and lost market potential.

The task at hand for FinTech Innovators involves devising a comprehensive plan to seamlessly blend the traditional Role Culture with the more agile and collaborative Task Culture of the acquired startup. Key to this process is strategic communication, ensuring that all employees are aligned with the new cultural direction and understand their roles within it. Leadership plays a crucial role in this transformation, tasked with modelling the desired behaviours and fostering an environment of openness and adaptability.

To ensure the effectiveness of this cultural shift, FinTech Innovators must establish clear metrics for success. These include enhanced organisational performance indicators such as market share growth, product innovation rates, and customer satisfaction levels. Equally important is measuring employee engagement and satisfaction, as these are critical barometers of internal acceptance and assimilation of the new culture.

In summary, FinTech Innovators stands on the brink of a significant cultural transformation. By learning from past merger challenges and meticulously planning the integration of diverse cultures, the company aspires to not only navigate this transition successfully but also to emerge as a more innovative, agile, and market-responsive entity.

a) How should FinTech Innovators approach the integration of the newly acquired startup's Task Culture to enhance its strategic agility without diluting the core values that have underpinned its success in a Role Culture environment?

b) Considering the historical challenges faced by companies like Burger Chef and General Foods during their cultural integration processes, what specific strategies should FinTech Innovators employ to ensure a seamless cultural merger, thus avoiding similar pitfalls and ensuring employee engagement and satisfaction?

 

Management Theory and Practice

Q1. Dr. Rohit Mahajan, a promising young researcher, has secured a prestigious research grant. However, claiming the funds requires navigating a complex bureaucratic maze within the university administration. Long forms, unclear procedures, and seemingly endless approvals threaten to delay his crucial project. In light of this case, what principles of bureaucratic managements must Rohit consider? Please elaborate on the relevant principles of bureaucratic management.

Q2. The Marketing Manager, Alex, is implementing a complex communication policy with lengthy approval processes for emails and documents. This coincides with a new CEO who rarely interacts with lower-level employees, creating a sense of isolation and lack of transparency.

How do these communication barriers affect employee morale, engagement, and productivity? How can these communication barriers be fixed to improve communication flow?

Q3. Mohit, a store manager at a university cafeteria, faces two challenges. First, he needs to order enough food items like sandwiches and salads to meet daily demand, which fluctuates based on class schedules. Second, a new student group has requested for a specialized vegan menu option.

Mohit has two decisions to deal with. First, how much of each standard food item he should order. Second, whether he should implement the new vegan menu option.

a. Which of the above two decisions fall under the programmed or non-programmed categories? Explain your answer.

b. What are the benefits and drawbacks of each decision in this situation?

 

Marketing Management

Case Study: E-JOSH Technologies

E-JOSH Technologies is a startup company founded in 2020 by a group of tech enthusiasts with a vision to revolutionize the education sector through innovative digital solutions. E-JOSH Technologies primarily targets students, teachers, and parents in the K-12 education sector. The company's products and services are designed to cater to the diverse needs of these groups, providing personalized and interactive learning experiences.

E-JOSH Technologies offers a range of products and services designed to enhance the learning experience for students, teachers, and parents. These products are built on the foundation of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to provide personalized and interactive learning opportunities. Some of the key features of products include:

AI-Powered Learning Platform: The core product of E-JOSH Technologies is its AI-powered learning platform. This platform offers a wide range of educational content, including interactive lessons, quizzes, and virtual classrooms. The AI technology used in the platform analyzes the learning patterns and preferences of each user to provide personalized recommendations and feedback, helping students learn more effectively.

Mobile App: E-JOSH Technologies also offers a mobile app version of its learning platform, allowing users to access educational content on-the-go. The app is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive, making it easy for students to navigate and engage with the content.

Teacher Dashboard: For teachers, E-JOSH Technologies provides a teacher dashboard that allows them to track the progress of their students, assign tasks and quizzes, and communicate with students and parents. The dashboard is designed to streamline the teaching process and enhance collaboration between teachers, students, and parents.

Parent Portal: The parent portal provides parents with insights into their child's learning progress, including their performance in quizzes and assignments. Parents can also communicate with teachers through the portal, enabling them to be more involved in their child's education.

E-JOSH Technologies operates on a subscription-based model, offering different tiers of access to its platform based on the user's needs. The platform provides a wide range of educational content, including interactive lessons, quizzes, and virtual classrooms, all designed to enhance the learning experience and improve academic performance.

The marketing team at E-JOSH Technologies focuses on traditional marketing strategies to reach a wider audience. The operations team ensures the smooth functioning of the platform, managing content updates, user accounts, and technical support. They also work closely with the technology team to implement new features and improvements based on user feedback. The finance team is responsible for managing the company's finances, including budgeting, financial planning, and revenue analysis. They also oversee the billing process and ensure that subscription fees are collected on time. The technology team is at the core of E-JOSH Technologies, responsible for developing and maintaining the AI-powered learning platform. They continuously work on improving the platform's functionality, security, and user experience.

One of the major challenges facing E-JOSH Technologies is the competitive nature of the EdTech industry. There are several well-established players in the market offering similar products, making it challenging for E-JOSH Technologies to differentiate itself and attract new users.

E-JOSH Technologies has shown great potential to disrupt the education sector with its innovative AI-powered learning platform.

(You can make valid assumptions wherever applicable while answering the questions)

Q1. Explain various marketing management orientations and their alignment with E-JOSH Technologies.

Q2. What are the key geographic, demographic, psychographic, and behavioral characteristics of the segments that E-JOSH Technologies targets?

Q3 a) How can E-JOSH Technologies leverage digital marketing channels?

Q3 b) Which positioning strategy could be most appropriate for E-JOSH Technologies, explain with reasons.

 

Organizational Behaviour

1. Think about a person with whom you may have worked, who happens to be very different from you, such as someone of the opposite gender who also is a member of a different racial group and/ or from a different region or country. In what ways was this experience challenging for you? In what ways did these differences prove to be beneficial? What insight do you believe the field of OB can give you with respect to this experience?

2. A friend who runs a small media company has approached you for advice. He believes that the attitude of his employees seems to be getting very negative with each passing day. Performance seems to declining and attrition is on the rise, especially with new hires. At the exit interviews, a few employees reported that they felt dissatisfied with the working environment, had long working hours and unsupportive managers. The work seemed monotonous and no appreciation by managers is ever given. New employees have been found taking up jobs with this company's competitors.

Which major attitudes are a cause of concern in the given situation? How can this organization deal with the same?

3. You have recently started heading a very big hospital that has a lot of nursing staff. Upon joining as the director, the management has informed you that this hospital faces a peculiar crisis. This crisis is related to very poor moral and motivation among the nursing staff. Upon further research you are given to understand that the nursing staff has very high absenteeism and turnover and low patient care feedback. Not just the patients, but the doctors are also unhappy with the services of the nursing staff. You are now responsible to diagnose the main issues here and help improve the situation. As you go ahead and speak with a few nurses you find three main problems. The first problem is that the nursing staff believes that no one in the organisation appreciates their work or encourages them in any way. The second major issue is that the nurses feel that their counterparts in other hospitals are paid much better than them. The third problem is that they feel bored with the routine jobs and roles that have been assigned to them since many years.

a) What theories of motivation can be applied in context to the first two issues faced by the nurses?  b) Explain the ways in which each of the three issues mentioned in case can be addressed.

 

Business Law

Q1. Explain in details two (2) real-life instances of Anti-Competitive Agreements which have been prohibited by the Competition Commission of India.

Q2. Illustrate the essential features of Contract.

Q3. Surendra and Kashyap have entered into an agreement to license technology. However, Surendra did not complete the full delivery of the technology license to the satisfaction of Seema. Hence, disputes arose between Surendra and Kashyap. Surendra and Kashyap do not want to go through a protracted litigation process before the conventional forums/courts. Can you advise them on:

A) What should be done to conduct an arbitration between Surendra and Kashyap to resolve their disputes.

B) The difference between Arbitration, Conciliation and Mediation? What is the advantages and disadvantages of each of these?

 

Essentials of HRM

Q1. How would you design and implement talent management strategies to effectively attract, develop, and retain millennial employees in your organization?

Q2. List down the key steps in designing a performance management system, and how does each of these steps enhance organizational effectiveness and employee development?

 

Q3. Ashish Chandana is the gold medalist of batch 2022 who has passed out of an excellent B- School, in Marketing and Finance. He is lucky to have got a PPO in COVID time. He has been hired by a data analytics and research-based company (XYZ) as a Research Associate for data mining, researching, developing data driven solutions for the company’s clients. Currently, he has been put in a team of five members who are working for an automotive giant of India. During the COVID, the company suffered an unmanageable loss of talented workforce as a result of mass exodus and migration of labour who had lost home and livelihood in lockdown. The client never wants to experience the disaster of facing the same crisis ever again. They want XYZ to develop a HR Management System that would suggest and encourage digitization and create a balance between optimal human warehouses and strategically increase their efficiencies. The client is very competitive but is pro people also. For understanding the organizational need strategically, a research roadmap is created. As a part of that, Ashish is required to develop, execute and present a comprehensive human resource strategy that must be presented to the top management team.

a) Identify the various HR functions which Ashish can include in his presentation for representing the HR strategy and why?

b) How do you think Ashish can convince the client for improving the organization’s ability to attract and keep talented employees?

 

Operations Management

1. MegaMart stands out as a prominent retail chain celebrated for its online grocery shopping platform, renowned for its strong inventory management system. Delve into MegaMart's unique approach compared to traditional brick-and-mortar stores, outlining prevalent inventory management techniques in the retail sector. Furthermore, explore MegaMart's inventory management system, detailing its core components and strategies aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and customer contentment.

2. Explain the core principle of the Theory of Constraints (TOC) and its pivotal role in streamlining manufacturing operations. Considering a suitable example, describe the key principles of the TOC philosophy and its application in synchronous manufacturing to refine production scheduling. Furthermore, illustrate the effectiveness of Drum-Buffer-Rope (DBR) methodology in improving system efficiency, minimizing lead times, and increasing throughput within manufacturing settings, using any industry of your choice.

3. Quality management holds paramount importance in upholding patient satisfaction and safety within a large multi-specialty hospital. Quality management tools serve as indispensable assets in attaining operational excellence and upholding the highest standards of healthcare services. Furthermore, the operations manager assumes a pivotal role in overseeing quality control efforts.

a. Explain the operations manager's responsibility in instituting and supervising quality control measures within the hospital.

b. Discuss the multiple dimensions of quality pertinent to the healthcare sector, elucidating how each dimension enhances overall patient care and experience.

 

Strategic Management

Q1. You are the CEO of a bank which has a profitable consumer banking division. Do you think the bank should sell out a profitable business like this? What according to you could be the reasons for a retrenchment strategy? If you were the strategy advisor to the bank, would you advise the bank for such a move?

 

Q2. The ISL is India’s leading football league but lately, it is struggling with issues such as sponsorship and viewership. What could be the reasons for this lack of interest in sponsors, according to you? What strategies would you recommend to the league management to increase consumer engagement, if you were its strategy consultant?

Q3. WPP became a global advertising behemoth because of its relentless acquisition strategy. This has led to its global dominance. In such a scenario:

a. a. If you were the owner of a small full-service advertising agency then what strategies would you adopt to compete with the big players like WPP.

b. b. In your opinion is advertising relevant to marketing anymore? Analyze the complexities of Marketing communications in the post pandemic era. Can AI be solely depended on to solve all the marketing problems or would you still need human intervention while reaching out to the consumers?

 

International HR Practices

1. GloTech Solutions, a New York-based technology consulting firm specializing in large scale IT infrastructure projects, is planning to establish a regional headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. To spearhead this initiative, a team of 12 IT consultants from the United States and 3 from Germany, including a senior project director from Germany, will relocate to Tokyo. What are the pre-departure and post arrival training HR should plan for the team? What could be the top 3 challenges you as HR Manager expect after the movement is completed to Tokyo?

 

2. XYZ limited is a leading bicycle manufacturing company from Ludhiana, India and now coming up new offices in Europe and Australia continent. The management set to standardize the performance management policies in new international offices of the company. How should performance metrics be standardized to ensure fairness and compatibility across different international offices? What challenges might arise in the collection and analysis of performance data from diverse locations?

 

3. GreenWave Solutions, a startup headquartered in pune, India, Specializes in eco- friendly water purification systems. Known for their innovative and sustainable technology, they have gained attention from clients both in India and internationally. Recently, they secured a 15 year contract to supply their systems to a new green initiative in Berlin, Germany. As part of the contact, they need to employ 2 engineers, 3 quality assurance experts, 2 supply chain managers and 1 customer support manager at the client’s headquarters in Berlin. GreenWave Solutions has decided to recruit local candidates in Germany to comply with local employment laws and reduce costs. You ate an HR consultant tasked with facilitating this international expansion.

a) What are the key challenges and considerations in recruiting, selecting and managing local talent in Berlin, Germany you may come across? Elaborate your answer by keeping the scenario in mind.

b) What strategies you will plan to attract skilled local talent in a competitive job market with limited brand recognition?

 

Strategic HRM

1. Think of two managers who have trained you - one whom you consider very good and one whom you consider a poor manager. What specific behaviours distinguish the two managers? In your opinion what is the best source of obtaining training performance data for appraising performance of managers? What are the merits and demerits of appraisal of managers by students?

2. Do you think that the compensation and rewards strategy of a high technology firm will be different from that of an emerging fast-growing firm? Why? Enumerate your answer giving examples.

3. Mind Space Technology Solutions is a medium-sized technology company that specializes in software development. The company has experienced rapid growth in recent years, expanding its customer base and entering new markets. However, with this growth came challenges related to performance management, particularly in evaluating and developing its workforce. Mind Space Technology Solutions is struggling with its performance evaluation process, which is perceived by employees as subjective and unfair. The current system relies heavily on annual performance reviews, which are often rushed and lack meaningful feedback. The HR department is tasked with revamping the performance evaluation process to make it more objective, transparent, and aligned with the company's strategic goals. There is a lack of alignment between employee goals and organizational goals at Mind Space Technology Solutions. Many employees are unclear about how their individual contributions impact the company's overall success. The HR department is tasked with developing a system to cascade organizational goals down to individual employees and ensure that everyone is working towards common objectives. Mind space Technology Solutions recognizes the importance of employee development in retaining top talent and staying competitive. However, the company's current approach to employee development is ad-hoc and lacks a structured framework. The HR department is tasked with developing a comprehensive employee development program that includes training, mentoring, and career planning.

a) What role can technology play in improving the performance evaluation process, and what are the potential benefits and drawbacks.

b) How should Mind Space Technology Solutions communicate organizational goals to employees to ensure alignment with individual goals.

 

Capital market and portfolio management

Q1. There are different users of financial statements like supplier, customer, investors etc. It is very necessary to check all financial statements & to do proper analysis before taking any business decision. Fundamental analysis is very helpful to understand company’s financial status. Elaborate different types of fundamental analysis which are necessary while taking any kind of business decision.

Q2. An efficient market is one that rapidly and completely possesses all the information related to the prices of the assets. In this market, stock prices cannot be change with rumors' that are not verified by investors. Efficient market theory is classified in to four categories elaborate it.

Q3. a.) Suppose the expected return from the market is 15%. The risk-free rate is 5% & beta for the stock is 1.5. Find the expected return for the stock.

b.) Capital Asset Pricing Model is a financial model used to rate risky securities, which examine the link between risk & return. CAPM helps to calculate the expected rate of return for an asset or investment. But CAPM have some disadvantages explain those limitations.

 

Cost and management accounting

Q1. The following is the summary of the receipts and issues of material in a factory during

December 2007. Prepare Store Ledger according to First In First Out Method.

December 2007

• Opening balance 500 units @ Rs.25 per unit

• Issue 70 units

• Issue 100 units

• 8. Issue 80 units

• 13. Received from supplier 200 units @ Rs.24.50 per unit

• 14. Returned to store 15 units @ Rs.24 per unit

• 16. Issue 180 units.

• 20. Received from supplier 240 units @ Rs.24.75 per unit

• 24. Issue 304 units.

• 25. Received from supplier 320 units @ Rs.24.50 per unit

• 26. Issue 112 units

• 27. Returned to store 12 units @ Rs.24.50 per unit

• 28. Received from supplier 100 units @ Rs.25 per unit

It was revealed that on 15th there was a shortage of five units and another on 27th of 8 units.

Q2. The anticipated material expense for project D-2 totals Rs. 5,000, with an expected direct labor cost of Rs. 1,000. In the machine shop, it necessitates 20 hours of machining by Machine No. 8 and 6 hours by Machine No. 11. The machine hour rates for Machine No. 8 and Machine No. 11 stand at Rs. 10 and Rs. 15 respectively. Last fiscal year, direct wages summed up to Rs. 80,000, while factory overheads (excluding those associated with Machine No. 8 and 11) amounted to Rs. 48,000. Similarly, the collective factory cost of all projects last year equaled Rs. 2,50,000, with office expenses reaching Rs. 37,500. To incorporate a 20% profit margin on the selling price, a quotation statement needs to be prepared.

Q3. A) How can you install a system of costing in a biscuit producing factory? What are the possible difficulties in installing such system?

B) Financial Accounting procedures are generally designed to ascertain the periodic profit or loss, but there are important limitations and deficiencies in the system." Discuss.

 

Employee development and talent management

Q1. Since 6 years when Rahul Sumant had joined Acme Inc., he had been applying many approaches to employee development. He was successful in retaining most of the talent and saw good results. However, management always showed mild disappointment towards the overall growth rate of the organization. They expected more prominent sales advancement and growth. Rahul decides to use 360 degrees appraisal as a new initiative. Please discuss the concept of 360 degrees appraisal and how it will contribute to finding the root cause for slower growth at Acme.

Q2. Apex Tech was at its peak performance in the financial market when the charismatic founder, Ashutosh, collapsed suddenly on one of his business trips. His employees felt lost, his customers were left confused. There were constant phone calls enquiring about the status of various projects going on resulting in great uncertainty since no one but only Ashutosh was aware of all the required facts. Every other employee knew only part of every project. The company struggled to keep the nose above the water until Ashutosh was back on his feet and realised his mistake that he has not developed any succession plan for his growing business. What Issues do you think lack of succession planning might cause?

Q3. SolarCity is a start-up that has grown quickly with awareness of solar powered equipment. Growing from 20 to 120 within a span of 1 year 4 months, the director, Gautam wants to set up a performance management system. Additional information, the organization has flat hierarchy currently with Gautam and his 2 partners spear heading core departments.

a. Gautam wants to implement Human Asset Accounting method at the start of the process. Please explain the concept and justify if this would be an appropriate method of SolarCity?

b. One of Gautam’s partners thinks, MBO would be an appropriate method. Please elaborate your opinion on this thought.

 

Marketing of financial services

Q1. If a Bank want to categorize various Insurance Services for its various of Clients including HNI to Middle Income Groups as well as from Youth to Senior Citizen. In what direction respective Banks can demarcate Insurance Plans into various Types? Explain different Types of Insurance Plans fragmentation by Commercial Banks towards its Clients.

Q2. If a Scheduled Commercial Bank is opening its New Branch at Tier II City. Its conducting a Market Research with instrumental of respective 8 important P’s Factors of Marketing of Bank – Financial services. Kindly elaborate those any important 6 P’s from Marketing Head pt. of view.

Q3 a) If a Senior Professional Aged 55 is planning for his retirement, what important 3-4 factors to be pondered upon from his Age 55 to 60 last 5 Years? Elaborate Paradigm.

Q3 b) In case if a research agency is trying to understand particular geographical Marketing environment for Financial Services Marketing, which particular factors it would ponder upon at Foundation level? Kindly elaborate.

 

Strategic cost management

1) ABC Ltd. produces 3 products A, B & C. The following data is available for the year ended 31st March 2023.

Product A        Product B        Product C

Production Qty (Units)                                   4,000               3,000               1,600

Total Machine hours for production   60                    30                    20

Resources Per Unit -

Direct Material (Kgs)                         4                      6                      3

Direct Labour (Mins)                          30                    45                    60

Cost of Labour is Rs. 10 per hour and material cost Rs. 2/kg. Production Overheads (Fixed) were Rs. 99,450. ABC Ltd. used Traditional Costing method and absorbed the Overheads to products based on Labour hour rate. It is now considering to adopt Activity Based Costing method. The following information was digged out and analysed by the Cost Accountant. Overheads were comprised of the following: Material Handling Rs. 29,100, Storage Costs Rs. 31,200 and Power Cost Rs. 39,150. Further the area occupied for storage of materials was in the ratio of 2:1:3. Prepare Cost sheet showing Unit cost and Total cost of each product using both Traditional Costing and ABC methodology.

2) Sitaram Ltd. is an ice cream manufacturer company. Its current revenue is Rs. 650,000 a month and a 40% contribution margin. Its fixed costs are Rs. 200,000. Ghanshyam Ltd. is another player in the ice cream business with a current sales of Rs. 420,000 and a 30% contribution margin. Its fixed costs are Rs. 90,000.

a) What is the margin of safety for Sitaram and Ghanshyam Ltd? Compare the margin of safety in value between the two companies. Which is stronger?

b) Compare the margin of safety in percentage between the two companies. Now which one is stronger?

c) Prepare a budget for both companies showing their estimated profit at the current levels and at 75% of the current capacity. State your observations with respect to the Profit/Loss levels in both situations and their relation to Margin of Safety percentage

3) a) Precision Limited is motor manufacturer. The company currently produces three different models of motors. It also produces all the blades of the motors as it requires. The requirement is of 3 different blades for each motor model (i.e. 9 different blades). Precision Limited received a proposal from a supplier who wants to sell the company blades for the motors line. The supplier would charge Rs. 25 per blade, regardless of blade type. For the next year the Company has projected the costs of its own blade production as follows (based on projected volume of 10,000 units):

Direct materials                      Rs. 75,000

Direct labour                           Rs. 65,000

Variable overhead                   Rs. 55,000

Fixed overhead

Factory supervision                Rs. 35,000

Other fixed cost                      Rs. 65,000

Total production costs            Rs. 2,95,000

Assume:

(1) the equipment utilized to produce the blades has no alternative use and no market value,

(2) the space occupied by blade production will remain idle if the company purchases rather than makes the blades, and

(3) factory supervision costs reflects the salary of a production supervisor who would be dismissed from the firm if blade production is ceased. Determine the net profit or loss if the blades are purchased rather than manufactured.

b) Priya Motors is planning to coming up with a new electric car. The promotor of the company has been conducting research in this field on and off for the past 2 years. The approximate amount spent on the R&D till date is Rs. 2 lacs. The cost of production of the vehicle is estimated to be Rs. 3 lacs. Marketing and promotional expenses are to the tune of Rs. 50,000. Based on prior experience, car has a after sales service expenses of Rs. 25,000 on an average during its life time. Being an electric car the cost is estimated lower at Rs. 20,000. If the company wants to earn a profit margin of Rs. 40,000 per car, at what price should Priya Motors price it? (Time value of money is ignored) What is the approach used for costing the car? Considering the stage of the product, what should be the considerations for spending on the following costs: a) Advertisement b) Maintenance cost.

 

Organisational Theory, Structure and Design

1. Analyze the utility of a line structure in an organisation. Explain which types of companies would prefer this structure. Evaluate the pros and cons of this structure. Give examples as required. (10 Marks)

2. It is said that there is no magic formula for choosing the correct organizational structure. However, its suitability should be determined based on certain features. Evaluate the importance of each feature and add suitable examples wherever needed. (10 Marks)

3. The external environment of a business is measured by a system called the PESTLE analysis which gives a holistic overview of all the associated contextual aspects influencing it. In the above context, explain with the help of suitable examples:

a. Evaluate the different relevant concepts of the external environment that help in strategy building. (5 Marks)

b. Discuss the systems or approaches through which information can be collected regarding the external environment. (5 Marks)

 

Sales management

1. Glow Company, a leading manufacturer of premium skincare products, is looking to develop sales-related marketing policies to enhance its market presence & drive revenue growth. As the marketing manager, you’ve been tasked with proposing a set of policies that align with the company's strategic objectives & market dynamics. Identify & justify three sales-related marketing policies that Glow Company could implement to increase its sales performance & market share in the skincare industry. (10 Marks)

2. As a sales manager for a growing technology company, you’ve been tasked with expanding your sales team to meet increasing demand for your products. Describe a practical situation where you would apply effective recruitment & selection strategies in your sales department. (10 Marks)

3. Read the case & answer the questions based on the case:

Background:

You are a real estate agent representing a seller who owns a luxurious waterfront property. The property has been on the market for several months without any offers, and the seller is getting anxious to close a deal. The asking price is $1.5 million, but there has been little interest from potential buyers.

Client Information:

Seller: Mr. Johnson, a retired businessman who is motivated to sell due to personal reasons.

Property Details: A 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom waterfront home with a private dock and stunning views.

Market Conditions: The real estate market is competitive, and there are similar properties available in the area, though none with the same unique features.

Challenges:

The property has been on the market for a while without attracting serious offers.

Similar properties in the area are priced slightly lower.

Mr. Johnson is emotionally attached to the property and is hesitant to lower the asking price.

Objectives:

Secure a buyer for the property within the next 60 days.

Negotiate a deal that satisfies both the buyer and Mr. Johnson.

a) Explain various Sales related marketing strategies (5 Marks)

b) What Negotiation tactics will you adopt to close the deal? (5 Marks)

 

Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital Management

1. Imagine you are the CEO of a traditional retail company facing stiff competition from e-commerce giants. How can innovation play a role in revitalizing your business and staying competitive? (10 Marks)

2. Your startup is looking to expand globally. How can you identify a venture capitalist with a global network and experience in international markets to support your growth aspirations?

(10 Marks)

3. You are a social entrepreneur working on improving access to clean water and sanitation in developing countries.

a. How can you collaborate with NGOs to create sustainable infrastructure and behavior change initiatives? (5 Marks)

b. Explain the pros and cons of the appropriate model of social entrepreneurship. (5 Marks)

 

Digital marketing

DesiBazaar is an e-commerce company based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, specializing in quirky, Indianized products. Founded in 2020 by young entrepreneurs Priya Sharma and Kunal Verma, DesiBazaar aims to bring a modern twist to traditional Indian culture through unique and innovative products. The company quickly gained popularity due to its distinctive offerings and vibrant brand personality.

 

Products:

Funky Home Decor: Products include colorful cushions with Indian motifs, hand-painted kettles and trays, and wall hangings featuring Bollywood posters and famous Indian landmarks.

 

Fashion Accessories: Includes jhumkas (traditional earrings) with a contemporary twist, vibrant tote bags with Indian art prints, and quirky scarves and stoles featuring popular Indian idioms and proverbs.

 

Stationery and Office Supplies: Notebooks and planners with Bollywood dialogues, pens and pencils shaped like traditional Indian instruments, and quirky desk organizers inspired by Indian street vendors.

 

Kitchenware: Includes spice boxes shaped like autorickshaws, mugs with regional dialects, and aprons printed with famous Indian street food items.

 

Personal Care: Natural, handcrafted soaps and lotions with Indian herbs, quirky bathrobes with traditional Indian prints, and aromatic candles infused with Indian spices.

 

DesiBazaar operates through an online platform, catering to customers across India. The company has a warehouse in Bengaluru where products are stored, packed, and shipped. DesiBazaar partners with local artisans and manufacturers to source its products, ensuring high quality and authenticity. DesiBazaar collaborates with small-scale artisans and manufacturers to source unique products. The company uses a robust logistics network to ensure timely delivery, leveraging both traditional courier services and emerging hyperlocal delivery startups. DesiBazaar adopts a competitive pricing strategy to attract a broad customer base while maintaining a balance between affordability and quality. Eco-friendly  packaging  is  used  to  minimize  environmental  impact,  aligning  with  the company’s commitment to sustainability. You can make necessary assumptions while answering the questions.

 

1. As a consultant to DesiBazaar suggest and explain the 8P’s for the business. (10 Marks)

2. Explain the seven stages for setting up a marketing campaign management for DesiBazaar. (10 Marks)

3a. How will you promote DesiBazaar online? (5 Marks)

3b.  Create  and  explain  the  segmentation  2.0,  targeting  2.0,  and  positioning  2.0  for DesiBazaar.    (5 Marks)

 

Customer relationship management

1. You are the CIO (Chief Information Officer) of your company. Your organization is planning to implement Siebel CRM for managing your call center and the marketing campaigns that your company runs. The management needs to be convinced about the Return on Investment, advantages, and challenges that the organization would face because of implementing CRM. How would you justify your case? (10 Marks)

2. Your company manufactures mobile phones. This month you are coming with a path breaking product, which is aimed at attracting customers who are below 25 years old. Your companies focus on this market will remain for the next 2-3 years. How will you persuade your existing and new customers to buy the new product? (10 Marks)

3. a) “CRM implementation done right owes its success to the right definition of the success criteria.” In context of this: How do you define success criteria of CRM projects? (5 marks)

b) What are the major challenges that you are likely to face while implementing CRM in your organisation? (5 marks)

 

International marketing

1. India assumed the presidency of the G20 grouping from Indonesia, on December 1, 2022, and held the post for a year. This gave India a unique opportunity to contribute to the global agenda on pressing issues of international importance. Discuss the    significance    of hosting G20 in our country.   (10 Marks)

2. Chinese brands commanded 75% of India’s smartphone market in 2022, down from 76% in 2021. What would be your strategy to promote and manufacture more of Indian brands in India. Also express your opinion on the impact of iPhone manufacturing in India. (10 Marks)

3. Read the following case study carefully and then answer the questions that follow:

The concept of product patent drugs for pharmaceutical products is likely to make life saving medicines beyond the reach of the poor and deprived sections of society around the world. A number of African countries have been worst hit by the specter of AIDS. CIPLA an Indian pharmaceutical company, has offered to market anti aids medicine, at one fourth the cost of what  is  made by  global  pharmaceutical  firms.  However, due to  product  patent  laws, substantial controversy has been generated all over the world due ethical grounds.

a) In your opinion is it right to deprive the needy sections of the society of the latest scientific inventions crucial for saving human life. (5 Marks)

b) Suggest a strategy how this problem can be solved so that every person on the planet can get access to affordable medicine.? (5 Marks)

 

Business Communication

Q1. While Bill Gates mentioned ‘Content is king’ in1996 in one of his essays, the new age presenters believe and have realized that while content is the king audience is the kingdom and hence the content king would need to behave as per the need of the kingdom. Any business  communication  course  will  include  an  important  section  covering  Audience analysis topics. Considering this thought, please share some actions that would lead to analyzing the audience for business presentations. (10 Marks)

Q2. Shubha is a manager in a large retail super store chain. She is heading the administration department and is responsible for a large cluster of geography which covers 6 stores of the organization. Writing and analyzing reports is a big chunk of her work, she is also involved in writing and analyzing proposals as a part of her job. In light of this case, please compare the elements of Body and Close for a proposal and report clearly.  (10 Marks)

Q3. Prof. Bala is a guide for international students for submitting their final thesis of PG degrees. He reads a lot of academic reports during the day and knows by now that the documents need to be edited to make them more concise and need to add more clarity of concepts. Considering these points, answer the two questions given below.

a) Share a few tips for editing the documents to add more clarity of thoughts. (5 Marks)

 

Business economics

Q1.  With the help of the concept of production function.  Briefly explain the Law of Variable Proportions and Law of Returns to Scale. Elaborate your answer by citing real world examples. (10 Marks)

Q2. Countries are making every effort to cut back on their usage of petroleum products, particularly gasoline, in light of the rising cost of crude oil. Results from this will only become apparent over time. To cut down on the usage of private automobiles, the majority of nations are working to increase public transportation systems’ popularity. For the reasonably developed countries, the income elasticity of spending on private vehicles has been calculated to be approximately 2.5. Some nations, like India, are highly irritated that despite fare reductions, there is no movement towards public transportation. The following describes the user profile of the public transportation system:

They belong to the middle and low income categories with income elasticity less than one and the absolute value of price elasticity also less than one With the above given statement, you are required to suggest your point logically as to why the public transport is not becoming popular and why the use of private vehicles is only continuing to increase. You can build your answer by keeping income elasticity in mind and analysing it.  (10 Marks)

Q3a. A corporation in the USA that works in the telecommunications industry is called SNDL. Their intention is to join the Indian telecom industry. Prior to entering the Indian market, they would like to examine the market structure. They are doing this in order to determine how much price power they may have in the Indian telecom market. If you were giving them advice on the same thing, how would you go about comprehending the structure of the market? Explain which test or technique you would choose for determining the market concentration. (5 Marks)

Q3b.  ABC Ltd sought to determine the nature of the relationship between goods A and B, specifically if they are complementary or substitutes. Regarding the price and quantity requested for commodities A and B, the following information was available. The price of A remained unchanged, but the price of B dropped from Rs 240 to Rs 200, which increased the demand for A from 3500 to 4000 units. Determine the cross-elasticity of demand between goods A and B, and then provide a commentary on the relationship between the two goods based on the results.      (5 Marks)

 

Information Systems for Managers

1. GNJ Jewellers has  now  its  several  branches  across  different  cities  in  India.  The Jewellers started from very small shop in Mumbai and expanded their business in several years across India. Initially when they started, they have appointed different personnels to keep a track of jewelleries sold, orders given and inventory required. With the expansion of business in different cities, GNJ Jewellers are now finding it difficult to manage/ track the details at global level and to get an overview of Jewellery details across all stores of various cities. They contacted a solution providing firm to get solution of the same and were told to shift their business to Cloud wherein, all the operations of different stores can be monitored/detailed out very easily. Discuss how migrating to Cloud will help GNJ Jewellers to smoothen up the process of monitoring/tracking details from one location for other stores across various cities. Also, discuss which types of cloud and cloud service will be suitable for their organization.      (10 marks)

2. Mantra Edutech has started its educational institute which provides certification courses related to various IT skill-based programs. They have setup their educational setup in offline mode in New Delhi. The institute has several departments such as admission, finance, academics, examination, HR etc. Mantra Edutech is finding it difficult to manage the operations of its institute manually, hence they need to automate the activities of all the departments. Discuss , how technology can help them in integrating and automating the activities of all the departments. Also, highlight 5 key benefits. (10 marks)

3. Xrbian Technology Solutions is new IT Company with the motive of providing solutions to different Organisations by catering to their specific product requirements. The company has been assigned a project development task that is relatively straightforward, with clear requirements. As a new venture, this organization is not fully aware of the different vulnerabilities and threats. Considering the above scenario, discuss and suggest various options for the following:

a) What can be the various threats and vulnerabilities that Xrbian Technology Solutions may face ? What security measures can Xrbian Technology Solutions adopt to respond to these threats and vulnerabilities ? (5 marks)

b) Discuss various software Development Life Cycle models Xrbian Technology Solutions can use for development of the Project. Support your answer with examples. State any assumptions made (for the project and the company). (5 marks)

 

Financial Accounting & Analysis

Q1. Company ABC, a manufacturing company, is preparing its cash flow statement forthe fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. The company experienced various cash inflows and outflows during the year from its operating, investing, and financing activities. Based on the provided data, calculate the net cash provided by operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities for Company ABC for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. Additionally, determine the net increase or decrease incash and cash equivalents for the period.

 

Category                                             Amount (₹)

Net Income                                         ₹500,000

Depreciation Expense                         ₹100,000

Increase in Accounts Receivable       ₹50,000

Decrease in Inventory                         (₹30,000)

Increase in Accounts Payable             ₹20,000

Purchase of Property, Plant, and        (₹200,000)

Equipment

Proceeds from Issuance of                  3,00,000

Long-term Debt

Repayment of Long-term Debt          (₹150,000)

Payment of Dividends                         (₹50,000)

Beginning Cash and Cash Equivalents ₹400,000

 

Instructions:

Calculate the net cash provided by operating activities using the indirect method.

Determine the net cash used in investing activities.

Determine the net cash provided by financing activities.

Calculate the net increase or decrease in cash and cash equivalents.

Provide the final cash flow statement for Company ABC for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023, showing the net cash provided by (or used in) each category and the net increase or decrease in cash and cash equivalents.

Note: Assume all transactions are cash transactions unless otherwise specified and use the indirect method for operating activities.   (10 Marks)

Q2. DEF Pvt. Ltd. is considering introducing a new product line. Conduct a cost- volume- profit (CVP) analysis on hypothetical data (per unit basis) to determine the breakeven point and assess the profitability of the new product. Discuss the implications of your analysis on the company’s decision-making process. (You can present the answer with the help of hypothetical data if required)   (10 Marks)

Q3.(A) Compare and contrast ratio analysis with other techniques of financial analysis. Provide examples of situations where each technique would be most appropriate and discuss the insights, they offer to stakeholders in assessing a company’s financial performance and position.    (5 Marks)

(B) You are a newly appointed financial analyst at a manufacturing company, tasked with preparing the balance sheet for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2023. As part of your role, you need to identify and explain the basic concepts underlying the preparation of the balance sheet. Additionally, you are required to discuss the key components of a balance sheet and their role in portraying the financial position of a company.     (5 Marks)

 

Project management

1. What is a project charter? Develop a project charter for Bhubaneswar Metro-rail project and discuss the typical elements of the charter.  (10 marks)

2. India is planning to bid to host the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Construct a WBS (Work break-down structure) for the project. (10 marks)

3. Budget 2024 raised the allocation for the Road Ministry marginally to ₹2.78 lakh crore from Rs 2.7 lakh crore. Out of the outlay, ₹1.68 lakh crore is earmarked for investment in NHAI for the development of national highway corridors under Bharatmala Pariyojana.

(Source: https://www.cnbctv18.com/india/budget-2024-highlights-road-infrastructure-project-bharatmala-pariyojana-allocation-18938911.htm)

a) Explain the various characteristics of Bharatmala Pariyojana. (5 marks)

Discuss in brief the different activities to be executed during the project life cycle of the Bharatmala Pariyojana project. (5 marks)

 

Consumer behaviour

1. Go to website www.tirabeauty.com. Assume you are the Marketing Manager at Tira which is planning to launch a new line of luxury perfumes for women in the higher middle-class segment – women who want to use big brands but cannot always afford to use them so they buy a mix of highly branded and home-grown luxury perfume brands. You’re aware of the principles of classical conditioning and its potential impact on consumer behavior. How would you apply classical conditioning techniques to create a favorable association between your perfume and positive emotions in potential buyers? (10 Marks)

2. North India experiences extreme climates – typically states of Rajasthan, MP, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Delhi, etc have very hot summers and very cold winters. Many people in these states use air-conditioners in summer and radiation heaters in winter to fight the extremes of climates. Now a major consumer durable company has introduced a combined air- conditioner cum heater so that consumers do not have to buy 2 appliances like the AC and a heater. A single appliance can now work both as an air-conditioner cum heater. Using the model of Diffusion of Innovation explain the different product parameters that will influence the consumer acceptance of the combined air-conditioning cum heating unit. (10 Marks)

3. Answer the following

a) How would a child influence the choice of product in the family? Take a product of your choice and explain how a marketer can get across to a child in order to make the child influence his/her family to buy that product. (5 Marks)

b) What is classical conditioning in Consumer Behaviour. Mother’s Recipe has a range of “Ready to Cook” products. It is planning to launch a new category – the favourite Indian Meal called “Khichdi” under the “Ready to Cook” range. There will be a variety of Khichdi’s from different areas of India available to the consumer. How can Mother’s Recipe use the principle of Classical Conditioning to popularize the range of Khichdis it is planning in the market. (5 Marks)

 

Marketing strategy

Pack & Voyage is a rising online retailer specializing in innovative and stylish luggage solutions for the modern traveler. They offer a curated selection of high-quality suitcases, backpacks, duffel bags, and travel accessories designed for functionality, durability, and a touch of contemporary flair.

 

Pack & Voyage leverages a mix of online and offline marketing tactics. Their strategy includes:

Social Media Marketing: Active presence on Instagram and Facebook showcasing product features, travel inspiration, and user-generated content.

Influencer Marketing: Partnering with travel bloggers and social media personalities to promote their products and reach a wider audience.

Content Marketing: Creating blog posts and articles offering travel tips, packing hacks, and product reviews.

Paid Advertising:  Utilizing targeted online advertising campaigns to reach specific customer segments.

Email Marketing: Engaging with customers through email newsletters with product updates, promotions, and travel inspiration.

Physical Retail Presence: Limited partnerships with select travel-focused retail stores to showcase products and offer a tangible touchpoint.

 

Challenges:

The luggage industry is highly competitive, with established brands and budget retailers vying for market share. Pack & Voyage needs to differentiate their brand and showcase their unique value proposition more effectively.

While their social media presence is active, they might not be weaving a compelling brand story that resonates with target travelers. Connecting emotionally with the audience beyond product features is crucial.

Pack & Voyage is a relatively new player compared to established brands. Building brand awareness and recognition requires a more strategic and integrated marketing approach.

 

Their current strategy focuses more heavily on online channels. Developing a more seamless omnichannel experience that integrates online and offline touchpoints can enhance customer engagement and brand perception. While they utilize online advertising, leveraging customer data effectively for personalization and targeted campaigns can improve conversion rates and overall marketing effectiveness. Pack & Voyage has a strong foundation with its focus on innovative and stylish luggage. To accelerate growth and gain a competitive edge, they need to refine their marketing strategy by focusing on brand storytelling, building awareness, and creating a seamless omnichannel experience. By harnessing the power of data and personalization, Pack & Voyage can position itself as the go-to brand for discerning travelers seeking a blend of functionality, style, and an exceptional travel experience. (You can make necessary assumptions wherever applicable while answering the questions)

 

Q1. Explain various stages of the evolution of marketing and relate every stage with the Pack & Voyage Business.    (10 Marks)

Q2. Explain the 7P’s of Marketing for the brand Pack & Voyage. (10 Marks)

Q3a. As a consultant to the company, explain the 5P’s of strategy for Pack & Voyage to the management. (5 Marks)

b) As a consultant, explain the concept of Segmentation and Target Market for the brand Pack & Voyage. (5 Marks)

 

Brand management

Rajiv Mehra, a passionate entrepreneur with a background in fashion and retail, is planning to start a retail chain business specializing in ethnic wear from various regions of India. His vision is to create a brand that brings the richness of Indian culture to the forefront through beautifully crafted ethnic garments. The business aims to be a leading retail chain offering a wide range of ethnic wear for men, women, and children. The stores will be located in major cities and towns across India, catering to both everyday wear and special occasions like weddings and festivals.

 

Products:

Sarees:

Kanjivaram from Tamil Nadu (Price: ₹2,000 – ₹20,000) Banarasi from Uttar Pradesh (Price: ₹3,000 – ₹25,000) Paithani from Maharashtra (Price: ₹5,000 – ₹30,000) Chanderi from Madhya Pradesh (Price: ₹1,500 – ₹10,000)

 

Salwar Kameez:

Phulkari from Punjab (Price: ₹1,500 – ₹8,000) Bandhani from Gujarat (Price: ₹1,000 – ₹6,000) Chikankari from Lucknow (Price: ₹2,000 – ₹15,000)

 

Lehengas:

Zardozi from Rajasthan (Price: ₹10,000 – ₹50,000) Mirror work from Gujarat (Price: ₹5,000 – ₹30,000)

Kashmiri embroidery from Jammu and Kashmir (Price: ₹8,000 – ₹40,000)

 

Kurtas and Sherwanis:

Handloom kurtas from West Bengal (Price: ₹1,500 – ₹10,000) Silk sherwanis from Karnataka (Price: ₹5,000 – ₹30,000)

 

Accessories:

Dupattas, stoles, and shawls with regional embroidery (Price: ₹500 – ₹5,000)

Traditional jewellery and footwear (Price: ₹1,000 – ₹10,000)

 

Segmentation, Targeting, and Positioning (STP):

Demographic: Age: 18-60 years Gender: All genders

Income: Middle to upper-middle class

Occupation: Working professionals, homemakers, students, and business owners

 

Psychographic:

Lifestyle: Fashion-conscious, culturally inclined, and socially active individuals

Interests: Traditional fashion, cultural events, and heritage crafts

 

Behavioral:

Purchase Behavior: Regular shoppers of ethnic wear, occasional buyers for special events

Usage: Daily wear, festive wear, and wedding wear

 

The business targets urban and semi-urban middle to upper-middle-class consumers who appreciate traditional Indian attire. These customers value quality, craftsmanship, and cultural authenticity. The brand will also cater to NRIs and international customers through an online store. However, Rajiv is facing several dilemmas regarding the brand name, logo, domain name, and other branding challenges. He hires you as a consultant to address challenges in the area of Branding. You can make necessary assumptions while answering the questions.

Q1. As the brand consultant, you’ve been tasked with developing various brand elements, including the brand name for Rajiv Mehra’s business. Elaborate with the reasoning of various elements that you will suggest Rajiv.   (10 Marks

Q2. Create and explain the brand resonance model for Rajiv’s Business covering six brand building blocks.  (10 Marks)

Q3. As a brand in charge, explain to your team the given points:

a) Explain five levels of product for the business. (5 Marks)

b) What are the various types of risk that consumers may perceive while buying and consuming the product from Rajiv’s Business? (5 Marks)

 

Operations and supply chain strategies

1. Mr. Ranga is a store manager at Pmart Ltd one of the leading retail firm. To penetrate the market, he was using a low-price strategy. Due to competition, he also plans to use technology in the supply chain to reduce the cost. In such a scenario, every business requires some competitive edge to sustain in the market. Discuss different supply chain drivers with Mr. Ranga that ultimately helps Mega Mart to enable the entire supply chain. (10 Marks)

2. Your artisanal ice cream company produces small batches of unique flavours sold in local shops. A large supermarket chain wants to carry your top five flavours nationwide, requiring a consistent and high volume of production. Considering your current small-batch production process, how would you adapt to fulfill this order? Would you switch to a mass production or continuous production process, or choose another method? Explain your decision, taking into account factors such as maintaining product quality, scaling up production, cost efficiency, and logistical challenges in distributing your ice cream across a national market. (10 Marks)

Nikaa Ltd is leading e commerce company sells beauty, wellness and fashion products through its website, mobile app, and over physical stores. Company holds items bought directly from manufacturers in its warehouses, where they are supplied whenever there are online or offline purchases. Due to high demand company is not able to concentrate on the core business. E-commerce business has experienced significant growth, leading to challenges in managing inventory, order fulfilment, and timely deliveries. You are considering partnering with a third-party logistics provider to handle these logistics functions.

a) How would you evaluate the decision to outsource to a 3PL? Discuss the potential benefits and risks, including cost savings, efficiency improvements, loss of direct control over logistics, and potential impacts on customer satisfaction. (5 Marks)

b) What criteria would you use to select a 3PL provider, and how would you ensure a smooth transition to maintain service quality during this change? (5 Marks)

 

Enterprise resource planning

Q.1 Maketyre is a tyre manufacturing company which makes tyres for various tyoes of vehicles.  With the vast growing business across the Country, they decided to implement ERP system in their organization. Discuss the various factors for successful ERP implementation which Maketyre will follow and explain the challenges which Maketyre may face while ERP implementation. (10 marks)

Q2. Thakur Das Jewellers are into gem business based in Mumbai. Thakur Das Jewellers have expanded their branches with in different cities and have various departments such as Finance, Sales, Purchase etc. With the extending number of business processes, discuss using which technology Thakur Das Jewellers can integrate their processes to smoothen and streamline the business processes of their business. Discuss the features of Finance, Sales and Purchase modules with reference to the gem business of Thakur Das Jewellers. (10 marks)

Q.3 PeopleCare Technology is new IT Company with the motive of providing solutions to different Organisations by catering to their specific product requirements. They have decided to implement SAP software in their organization to integrate the various business processes and to enhance the efficiency of the organization. Considering the above scenario, discuss the following:

a) Discuss the benefits of SAP implementation by PeopleCare Technology. (5 marks)

b) Discuss the SAP   architecture   which   PeopleCare   Technology   has   used   for implementation. (5 marks)

 

Performance management system

1. Carspares Ltd is a four-wheeler spare parts company which was founded in 2020. The company has 200 employees and provides online spare parts (example car engine parts, windows, second hand accessories etc.) for vehicles across India. Recently the company has also opened 4 showrooms in key locations in India for offline sale of vehicle spare parts. You are the HR Manager of the company and you need to prepare an HR Score Card consisting of four key HR objectives and performance indicators.   (10 Marks)

2. Anandan works as a Sales Executive in a Shoe manufacturing company. He has been working in the company since the past 14 months. His performance appraisal process has commenced and he is being rated with the BARs method. Using the Behaviourally Anchored Rating Scale (BARs) prepare a format that covers the criteria of “Customer Service” and “Listening to the customer”.    (10 Marks)

3. Prepare 2 performance objectives each using the SMART principles for the following job profiles

a) Admin Manager in a company in the hotel industry. (5 Marks)

 

Procurement management

1. GeoLinks is a medium-sized  supply  chain  management  company that  operates  in  e- commerce industry. Describe the evolution of e-procurement, including its various stages and technological advancements and explain how understanding this evolution can guide GeoLinks in developing a robust e-procurement strategy. Also, recommend pricing models that GeoLinks can adopt to ensure competitiveness and profitability in the e-procurement marketplace.   (10 Marks)

2. XYZ Infra is a construction company specializing in large-scale infrastructure projects. The company often engages in contracts with government agencies to build roads, bridges, and public facilities. Evaluate the factors that XYZ Infra should consider when determining its pricing strategies to manage and negotiate government influences on pricing while maintaining a fair and mutually beneficial partnership. Also, suggest a contingency plan and contractual clauses that XYZ Infra should include to mitigate risks associated with contract cancellations and unexpected project disruptions. (10 Marks)

3. GeoTronics is a multinational electronics company that sources components and materials from various countries for its manufacturing operations. It wants to source a wide range of products from multiple suppliers of south Asia and distribute them to various markets in the gulf.

a) Explain the legal authority and responsibilities of a purchasing manager and discuss the importance of ethical considerations in global sourcing decisions for GeoTronics. (5 Marks)

b) Describe different methods of global sourcing that GeoTronics can adopt to procure products from international suppliers and outline the factors that they should consider when evaluating potential global suppliers. (5 Marks)

 

Total quality management

1. As a leader of new product development team, you are asked by the management of your organization to comprehend the expectation of the customers and design product and services in view of that. Discuss a valuable methodology you would adopt that can significantly enhance the new product development process and thereby meet customer satisfaction. (10 Marks)

2. You are appointed as head of quality department and told it is utmost priority for your department to monitor defects and control quality. Discuss the seven basic quality control tools which may help your department in controlling quality and minimizing defects. Give examples for each tool. (10 Marks)

3. After entering global market, Maxx Industry which had implemented TQM, wants to change from its traditional performance measure based on cost accounting information to performance measured against the result delivered to customers. In TQM, measuring performance requires a conceptual framework.

a) Discuss the criteria Maxx Industry should follow for measuring and evaluating performance under TQM framework. (5 Marks)

b) Explain the four perspectives based on which Strategic Performance Measurement (SPM) is measured. (5 Marks)

 

International Business

1. Whether or not you produce and sell goods internationally, international business impacts every organization. In light of this statement what in your opinion are the various challenges a firm will face while embarking to International Business. (10 Marks)

2. While investing in India what is the significance of the role of FII and FDI. How in your opinion does India benefits when Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), and FII invest in India? (10 Marks)

3. Read the following case study carefully and then answer the questions that follow:

The crisis in Ukraine has created a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions and has also dealt a severe blow to the global economy. The brunt of the suffering and destruction are being felt by the people of Ukraine themselves but the costs in terms of reduced trade and output are likely to be felt by people around the world through higher food and energy prices and reduced availability of goods exported by Russia and Ukraine. Poorer countries are at high risk from the war, since they tend to spend a larger fraction of their incomes on food compared to richer countries. This could impact political stability. The WTO has an important role to play in mitigating the negative effects of the crisis and in rebuilding a post-war global economy. It is important for the international trade and development community to better understand, analyze and monitor the nature, magnitude and spill-over effects of the war on trade and development for developing countries and vulnerable segments, and to assist countries in coordinating trade policy responses. Only with a clear understanding of these impacts, will it be possible to create robust supply chains, to limit further trade and development losses and to avert deepening inequalities between developed and developing countries.

a) What in your opinion should the WTO take steps to provide an impetus to trade in that has disrupted trade due to the Ukraine-Russia war? (5 Marks)

b) Explain Global macroeconomic and trade effects of war and what are the ways that WTO can mitigate the problem. (5 Marks)

 

Compensation and benefits

Case study.

Aztec Shoe Industries Pvt Ltd is a medium scale shoe factory manufacturing shoes exclusively for the export sector. It has two plants, one in Pune, Maharashtra and the other in Hosur, Tamil Nadu. The year 2015 was not very good for the company as export orders were scarce and both the plants were operating at much less than full capacity. However, in the beginning of 2016, in March there was good news at last as the company was awarded a big contract to manufacture nearly 5 lakh pairs for a European company and as a result of this order, both the plants started working at full capacity again. However, in July 2016 when only about

 

50% of the order was executed, disaster struck, as the company received news that the European client had declared bankruptcy and the order was cancelled. To overcome the situation, the MD of Aztec, Mr Azad, directed the sales team to procure additional orders on a war footing and also declared that a 20% salary cut will be carried out for all employees (including the MD himself) in the organization for the next three months. He left the implementation of this wage deduction policy, to the General Managers of both the plants.

 

How the Pune Plant handled the Wage deduction Issue

After receiving the wage deduction policy instruction from the MD, the GM of this plant, Mr Murthy invited the General Secretary (GS) of the Union Mr Mehta for a meeting. Then, he appraised Mr. Mehta regarding the situation which had forced the Company Management to declare a 20% across the board wage-cut for all the employees in the plant. He also requested Mr Mehta to convince the workmen regarding the necessity of this unfortunate action. Following this meeting, the Union GS, Mr. Mehta addressed all the workmen together and discussed the gist of the conversation that he had with the General Mgr and also conveyed the GM’s request for cooperation from all concerned. Later, the GM (Mr Murthy), issued a notice addressing the employees which was pasted on the Main Notice Board and on all prominent places inside the plant. This notice was as follows:-  “It is hereby brought to the notice of all employees that due to the unprecedented financial crisis that our company is facing, the Management is constrained to declare a 20% across the board wage deduction for the next three months. The situation will be reviewed after that period and if the situation improves, later, the deducted money will be returned with interest to everyone.”

 

A.1) How the Workmen reacted to this Wage-Cut in the Pune Plant

This curt notice pasted on the notice board generated a lot of discussion among the workmen and most were not convinced that the situation was so bad that a 20% wage-cut needed to be imposed and that too at a time when the festival season was approaching. Many also felt that the company may be taking advantage of a bad situation to deny the workmen their dues. However, there were some, very few workmen who appreciated the fact that the management had opted for a general pay-cut and had not resorted to a lay-off.

 

A.2 Industrial Relation scenario during those three months period

The number of cases of workmen indiscipline was far more during this 3 month period than during the preceding months. Confrontation between the workmen and the management became almost a daily affair, absenteeism was much higher than previous and in general the quality of the production deteriorated. In general, the whole industrial relation scenario deteriorated and naturally the production of the plant suffered. Apart from these, there were also cases of sabotage and surprisingly cases of pilferage were also much higher during this period than in the preceding months.

 

B) How the Hosur Plant handled the Wage deduction Issue

The General Manager of the Hosur plant (Mr Sukhbir), also invited the General Secretary of the plant and also the most important office bearers for a presentation by his team explaining why this pay-cut was required vis-à-vis the company’s financial position. The basic idea was to convince the Union office bearers that i) this action was unavoidable, given the company’s financial position and ii) this pay-cut was only a temporary affair. The GM also instructed his Sr Mgrs to interact with the workmen under them and explain the logic behind this unfortunate decision. In this way, the GM ensured that the rank and file understood and was convinced about the necessity of this pay-cut decision.

 

B.1) How the Workmen reacted to this Wage-Cut in the Pune Plant

Due to methods employed by Mr Sukhbir to explain why this action was necessary, unlike the workmen of the Pune plant, the majority of the workmen were convinced about the veracity of this action. They also felt that they also should cooperate with the management to tide-over this difficult period and so extended their cooperation.

 

B.2 Industrial Relation scenario during those three months period

Surprisingly, cases of indiscipline actually reduced during the three month’s period. Absenteeism during this period actually improved and the production also improved marginally over the previous periods. Cases of sabotage and theft were non-existent.

Q1)  In the Pune plant, how would you explain the “rampant indiscipline” that occurred in those 3 months and can you link the cases of theft with any theory?     (10 marks)

Q2)  In your opinion, what factor (or factors) are responsible for the different ways in which the workmen reacted in the two plants.  (10 marks)

Case study.

Vasir joined ABC Metaliks Ltd as an “Office Boy” on 1st April 2022 at a monthly consolidated pay of Rs 6000. On 30th September’22, there was a big fire in the office and Vasir showed exemplary courage in dousing the fire and saving company property. However, he was severely burnt and spent three months in the hospital and rejoined duty on 1st of January’23 only.  In acknowledgement of his courage and bravery, the company promoted him to Jr Clerk at a consolidated salary of Rs 8000/month (Minm Wage was Rs 5500 per mth) from 1st Jan’22. On 31st March’23, the company declared a bonus of 15%; paid Vasir Rs 7500/- as yearly bonus considering the three months hospitalisation as  “unauthorized” leave.

Q3a. What would be the yearly earnings of Vasir for his bonus calculation? (5 marks)

 

Industrial relations & Labour laws

1. In a manufacturing unit located in Gujarat, India, there has been a recent increase in instances of industrial unrest, including strikes and disputes between the management and the workforce. The primary issues include disagreements over wage revisions, working conditions, and communication breakdowns. As an HR consultant, propose a set of practical suggestions to improve industrial relations in this scenario. Consider the cultural and legal aspects of the Indian industrial landscape in your recommendations. (10 Marks)

2. In a textile manufacturing company based in Mumbai, India, there have been complaints from workers regarding irregularities in the payment of wages. Some employees claim they are not receiving their wages on time, while others express concerns about unauthorized deductions. As an HR consultant well-versed in labor laws, provide a comprehensive set of recommendations to ensure compliance with the Payment of Wages Act, 1936, addressing issues related to timely payment, permissible deductions, and the provision of pay slips. Consider practical steps the company can take to improve transparency and adherence to the legal requirements outlined in the Act. (10 Marks)

3. In a heavy machinery manufacturing plant in Mumbai, India, tension has arisen between the management and the workforce due to disputes over wage revisions and working conditions. Workers, represented by a trade union, are demanding higher wages and improved facilities, while the management is concerned about maintaining operational efficiency and competitiveness in the market. Negotiations have reached an impasse, and there is a looming threat of a potential strike. The atmosphere is tense, and both parties are looking for resolution mechanisms.

a) As an HR consultant, the management seeks your guidance on initiating a collective bargaining process with the trade union to address the wage revision and working conditions. Outline the key steps, strategies, and principals involved in effective collective bargaining that can lead to a mutually beneficial agreement. Consider the legal framework and cultural nuances within the Indian industrial context. (5 Marks)

b) The workers, on the other hand, are considering the option of a strike to emphasize their demands. As a conciliation officer appointed by the government, outline the steps you would take to facilitate conciliation between the management and the trade union. Highlight the role of conciliation in preventing industrial disputes, the legal provisions supporting the process, and the potential outcomes that can be achieved through successful conciliation. (5 Marks)

 

Manpower Planning, Recruitment and Selection

1. “E-recruitment is one of the modern channels of recruitment”. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not? (10 Marks)

2. Career Anchors play vital role while deciding the career choices. Give your inputs and explain in detail. (10 Marks)

3. Human Resource is a valuable asset of the organization. It can make or break the organization.

Performance Appraisal is very sensitive and close to the heart of every employee. So, appraisals need to be done with utmost care.

What challenges a manager might face while appraising the performance of his team members? (5 Marks)

 

Service Operations Management

Q1. Defining the concept of the ‘Service Design; explain in detail the different ways in which organizations can implement ‘Service Design’? Support your explanation with a reference to a restaurant setup (you can choose any reference setup of your own choice)     (10 Marks)

Q2. Enlist and explain in detail the various dimensions through which Service organisations are evaluated for Quality by customers? Elaborate your answer with a reference of any educational institute of your choice.      (10 Marks)

Q3. The Healthcare sector has become a very critical service sector domain in recent times, especially in the post Covid scenario. Hence it is very obvious for Healthcare Institutes to plan their operations in several ways to provide the best services to their target customers. Explain the following aspects of these organisations in context of the following areas as given below.

a) Enlist and explain the various elements that need to be incorporated in a Service Framework of the setup. (5 Marks)

b) How do healthcare setups use the concept of a Service Design (Blueprinting) for their service operations. (5 Marks)

 

Commercial Banking System & Role of RBI

1. Capital formation is important for economic growth of any country. It helps in making a particular country self-sufficient in such a way that it does not have to be dependent on other nations for foreign investments. Explain the different factors affecting capital formation. (10 Marks)

2. Commercial banks are life-line of any economy. They play a very important role in development of trade & commerce in the country. Describe different functions of Commercial banks and do SWOT analysis of Commercial Banks. (10 Marks)

3. One of the critical source of income of commercial banks is interest income which bank earns from interest on loans and advances to the customer. Advances may be classified as fund based and non-fund based. In today’s scenario of increasing Non Performing Assets (NPA) of the bank, banks are focusing more on non-fund based loans.

a) Discuss any three fund based loans and its advantages. (5 Marks)

b) Discuss any three non-fund based loans and its advantages. (5 Marks)

 

Fundamentals of Big Data & Business Analytics

1. Consider a hypothetical scenario in the financial industry where a retail bank is looking to enhance its customer segmentation strategies using big data analytics. Discuss how the concepts of descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics can be applied to analyze customer transaction data and improve marketing campaigns. Provide specific examples of analytical techniques and potential business outcomes. (10 Marks)

2. Imagine a healthcare organization aiming to reduce readmission rates for patients with chronic diseases. Explain how big data analytics can help identify high-risk patients, predict readmission likelihood, and prescribe personalized interventions to improve patient outcomes. Illustrate the application of descriptive, predictive, and prescriptive analytics in addressing this healthcare challenge. (10 Marks)

3 a) A leading consumer goods company wants to optimize its supply chain operations to reduce inventory costs and improve product availability. Describe how descriptive analytics can be used to analyze historical sales data and identify demand patterns. Provide examples of data visualization techniques that can aid in understanding supply chain dynamics and optimizing inventory levels.     (5 Marks)

b) In the transportation  sector,  a  logistics  company  is  seeking  to  enhance  route optimization and fleet management using big data analytics. Discuss how descriptive analytics can be applied to analyze transportation data, such as vehicle GPS coordinates and delivery times. Additionally, explain the role of predictive analytics in forecasting traffic patterns and optimizing delivery routes for efficiency and cost savings.     (5 Marks)

 

IT Project Management

Q1. What are the key steps involved in project closure, and why is this phase critical for project management? Include a brief description of project evaluation and administrative closure.   (10 Marks)

Q2. You are managing a project with high-risk factors, and you need to develop a comprehensive risk management plan. What steps would you take to identify, analyze, and mitigate these risks to minimize the impact on the project?    (10 Marks)

Q3. Your Company has been hired by an e-commerce start up to design and develop a new online platform. The project is complex, involving multiple teams and tight deadlines. During the design phase, the client makes significant changes to the original scope, requesting additional features like personalized product recommendations and advanced analytics. This scope change causes delays and budget overruns, putting the project’s success at risk.

a) As the project manager, how would you address the impact of these scope changes on the project  timeline and  budget? What  steps  would  you  take to minimize disruption to the project plan?    (5 Marks)

b) What measures  would  you  implement  to  manage the increased  workload  and maintain team morale in light of the additional scope?  In this scenario, what strategies could you employ to avoid future scope creep and ensure a successful project delivery despite these challenges?   (5 Marks)

 

IT Infrastructure Management

1. Elucidate the six approaches to green computing with relevant example for each approach. (10 Marks)

2. How is Capacity Management and Availability Management alike or different in terms of the Service Design Processes? (10 Marks)

3. A server farm serves several purposes in the industry. Based on your clients’ requirements explain in depth with relevant examples how each of the following works in real time:

a) The server farm that is set up for compilation of computer programs remotely. (5 Marks)

b) The server farm that helps rendering computer generated images that provide visual effects in films and television. (5 Marks)

 

Emerging Technologies: IoT, Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality

Q1. Anna, a 30-year-old office worker, leads a sedentary lifestyle and struggles to maintain a regular exercise routine due to her busy schedule and lack of motivation. Concerned about her health and well-being, Anna explores alternative fitness options to make exercise more enjoyable and engaging. Upon researching innovative fitness solutions, Anna discovers virtual reality (VR) technology as a potential game-changer in revolutionizing her workout experience.  Intrigued  by the idea of immersing  herself  in  virtual  environments  while exercising, Anna decides to explore VR fitness applications to kickstart her fitness journey. Anna downloads a VR fitness app that offers a variety of immersive workouts and experiences tailored to individuals of all fitness levels. The app provides virtual environments ranging from serene landscapes to challenging obstacle courses, allowing users to choose their preferred workout settings. Anna jogs along a scenic beach in one VR workout session, accompanied by motivating music and virtual trainers guiding her through the workout routine. As she progresses, Anna encounters interactive challenges and obstacles designed to keep her engaged and motivated, such as jumping over hurdles and dodging virtual obstacles. Throughout the workout, Anna’s VR headset tracks her movements and provides real-time feedback on her performance, including calories burned, distance covered, and exercise intensity. As she completes the workout, Anna feels a sense of accomplishment, encouraged by her progress and the immersive virtual experience. After several weeks of incorporating VR workouts into her routine, Anna notices significant improvements  in  her overall  fitness  levels,  including  increased  stamina,  strength,  and flexibility. She credits VR technology’s immersive and interactive nature for keeping her motivated and committed to her fitness goals. How can virtual reality (VR) technology revolutionize the fitness industry and enhance workout experiences for individuals of all fitness levels, as demonstrated in Anna’s case? Provide examples of VR applications and discuss their potential benefits in motivation, engagement, and physical performance improvement. Additionally, address any potential challenges or limitations associated with integrating VR technology into fitness routines and how they can be overcome.   (10 Marks)

Q2. In a rapidly growing urban centre in a developing country, the municipal government is considering implementing a smart city initiative to address various urban challenges and improve its residents’ overall quality of life. The city faces issues such as traffic congestion, inadequate waste management, unreliable energy supply, and limited access to essential services. The smart city initiative aims to leverage technology, particularly Internet of Things (IoT) solutions, to transform the urban landscape and create a more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive city. IoT sensors will be deployed across the city to monitor traffic flow, manage waste collection, optimize energy usage, and enhance public safety.

 

However, implementing the smart city initiative raises important socioeconomic considerations, including its potential impacts on economic growth, social inclusion, environmental sustainability, digital divide, and privacy concerns. Discuss the potential socioeconomic impacts of implementing a smart city initiative in the context of the developing country. How can smart city technologies contribute to economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability while addressing the digital divide and privacy concerns?     (10 Marks)

Q3. Sarah, a 65-year-old retired teacher, was recently diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a condition that affects her central vision. She struggles with reading and recognizing faces, impacting her daily activities and independence. Despite receiving treatment from her ophthalmologist, Sarah feels overwhelmed and anxious about managing her condition. Her healthcare team suggests incorporating augmented reality (AR) technology into her care plan to address Sarah’s concerns and enhance her quality of life. They introduce Sarah to an AR application designed specifically for individuals with visual impairments, which overlays digital enhancements onto her real-world environment through smart glasses or a smartphone.

a) Discuss the benefits of AR applications in assisting individuals like Sarah in improving their daily functioning, rehabilitation, social support, and education about their condition. (5 Marks)

b) Address AR technology’s ethical considerations and privacy concerns in healthcare settings. (5 Marks)

 

E-Business

1. You are hired as a consultant by a retail chain to assess the potential advantages of shifting from a traditional brick-and-mortar store to an e-business model. Provide insights on essential strategies that the retail stores can execute for successful transition to online business highlighting the risks and limitations along with recommendations for mitigating the same. (10 Marks)

2. Explain in detail any 5 methods used by e-businesses for gathering customer data using combination of active (atleast 2) and passive (atleast 2) data collection techniques while also highlighting the ethical considerations associated with each method. (10 Marks)

3. You have been hired by a quick commerce startup promising delivery to customers within minutes as an operations consultant to enhance their business productivity.

a) Explain the importance of e-SCM for managing its supply chain more efficiently and highlight importance of e-CRM to effectively understand its customers. (5 Marks)

b) Explain how the startup can integrate e-SCM and e-CRM to create a unique e-business model. (5 Marks)

 

Cloud Computing

1. You are the CIO of a Prime Defense Contractor. Your firm works very closely – e.g., sharing Top Secret / Classified Documents with your Tier1 and Tier2 Subcontractors. As such, you are evaluating the use of cloud and the right choice for the Cloud Deployment model for your firm and your Tier1 and Tier2 Subcontractors. Prepare an Approach Document to serve as the basis of an Executive Meeting with the Leadership of your firm and the CIOs to discuss this initiative. (10 Marks)

2. Mitra Software is a young and rapidly growing Software Products Firm – and they’re developing products such as HRMitra, AccountsMitra, etc… Mitra currently operates in a bootstrapped mode – i.e., money is very tight. You are the CTO and you’re preparing the Cloud Strategy, which should provide platform flexibility to the developers in the various Product Teams who are developing Cloud-Native Apps, for a rapid Go-to-market product deployment. Specifically, you are evaluating

What cloud services to opt for – i.e., IaaS, PaaS &/or SaaS?

Which cloud service provider would be ideal – i.e., AWS, Azure, or GAE?

Prepare an Approach Document to serve as the basis of an Executive Meeting with the CEO & CFO to discuss this initiative. You may get more details by visiting the web site of these firms or you can make your own assumptions.  (10 Marks)

3. The Top Management of Sushruta Hospitals is meeting to discuss their plan for a New Patient Records Management Solution. Both the COO, Mr. Unnithan and the CFO, Ms. Sinha are of the strong opinion that the company should develop and implement a Custom On-Premise Patient Records Management Solution to be developed by a Top5 IT Firm.

On the other hand, both Ms. Naidu, Head of Sales and Mr. Sandhu, CIO are keen to move to a popular SaaS-based Patient Records Management Product. The debate is getting heated as Mr. Unnithan also recalled past IT system implementation failures.

a) What arguments can Mr. Unnithan make in favor of in-house Custom On-Premise Patient Records Management Solution? (5 Marks)

b) What arguments can  Mr.  Sandhu  make  in  favor  of  a  SaaS-based  Patient  Records Management Product?     (5 Marks)

 

Supply Chain Management

1. ABC Manufacturing is a mid-sized company specializing in producing eco-friendly home appliances. The company has been experiencing significant fluctuations in demand, which have led to inventory surplus at times and stockouts at others. These inconsistencies have resulted in increased costs, customer dissatisfaction, and operational inefficiencies. Recently, the management team has decided to invest in advanced demand forecasting methods to address these challenges. You are the newly appointed Demand Planning Manager at ABC Manufacturing. Your task is to implement and suggest demand forecasting methods to improve the company’s performance. (10 Marks)

2. How does the vendor managed inventory help Walmart India in improving performance? Explain the challenges faced by Walmart India during VMI implementation. (10 Marks)

3. Transportation Plays an important role in the success of a supply chain. It’s the link that connects suppliers to manufacturers, manufacturers to distributors, and ultimately gets products into the hands of consumers. Efficient transportation ensures that goods move swiftly through the supply chain, reducing lead times and minimizing delays.

a) Describe the different transportation methods that soft drink companies can utilize to distribute their products. (5 Marks)

b) You are the newly appointed Logistics Manager and your primary task is to suggest and resolve the transportation challenges the company is facing. (5 Marks)

 

Marketing research

Q1.  You are the business head of a FMCG firm, your company has recently launched a new range of beauty products alongside the company has launched a major advertising campaign, Your management is of the opinion that the lack of consumer traction is due to poor advertising by your advertising agency. Would you agree with point of view? How do you establish the facts? Plan a research project.   (10 Marks)

Q2. “Marketing is the business”. Prove or disprove this hypothesis by applying the 4 P’s of marketing for Indian Space Research Organization as a business.  (10 Marks)

Q3. Your company is planning to launch a new range of face creams targeted to men. In a country like India this is category has not performed too well in such scenario:

a) Define the TG and markets you shall target give justifications for your selection, why do you think target grouping so important in market research. (5 Marks)

b) Which sampling techniques  would  you  use  for  understanding  consumer  needs. Create a 10-question questionnaire to understand consumer needs.   (5 Marks)

 

World Class Operations

1. Vijay Ananthan has just joined as the GM – Maintenance at a leading Compressor Manufacturer. As he reviews the company’s Equipment Maintenance history, he is concerned that there is no coherent Maintenance Strategy – i.e., except for some cases (e.g., critical equipment) where the company uses Preventive Maintenance, the common approach is  Reactive  Maintenance.  In order to  streamline  the Maintenance Department, Vijay is keen to adopt a Predictive Maintenance Strategy.

In this context, …

Describe the Reactive  Maintenance  &  Preventive  Maintenance  approaches, along with their respective Pros & Cons. Explain the Predictive Maintenance approach and why Vijay would want to adopt it to  overcome the problems  of Reactive Maintenance  &  Preventive Maintenance. (10Marks)

2. World Class Manufacturers  (WCMs)  in  diverse  sectors  such  as  Automotive (Nissan, BMW), Appliances (Siemens, Hyundai), etc., are highly reputed for their unflinching commitment to Quality.   These manufacturers have understood that Quality is about identifying “what is important to Customers” and delivering this to their customers.   Explain how these (and other) WCMs use frameworks such as QFD and HOQ to help embed Quality into every aspect of the Product Creation – From Concept to Manufacturing.      (10Marks)

3a. Quality Awards are not only about rewarding organizations but also about recognizing the importance of quality in the business. These awards are often used as a tool to raise awareness among both Employees and as well, Customers about the importance of quality. They also help to improve Customer Satisfaction and Employee Morale. Discuss the difference between Regional and International Awards.   (5 marks)

b) Describe the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Award and its Evaluation Criteria. (5 marks)

 

Lean six sigma

1. Examine the utilization of the DMAIC methodology and its relevant tools for improving business processes in an electric car manufacturing firm. Enumerate five process audits suitable for implementation within such a company, and elaborate on the specifics of at least two of these audits. (10 Marks)

2. Consider yourself as a Six Sigma project leader overseeing operations for an online cab service in India. Construct a fishbone diagram to identify potential issues (any 5) faced by online cab services that accepting customer orders through apps. Furthermore, elucidate the stages of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), offering examples from the online cab services for each step. (10 Marks)

A burgeoning Ed-tech startup seeks to increase technical workforce to support its expanding operations. The HR department lacks an IT system dedicated to managing the hiring process, relying predominantly on email for communication. In addition, they primarily undertakes candidate sourcing internally and occasionally collaborates with external recruitment agencies on an ad-hoc basis.

a) Construct a flowchart depicting the recruitment process for a new staff member, utilizing the SIPOC diagram to elucidate the various processes and decision tasks inherent in a typical recruitment process. (5 Marks)

b) Distinguish between verification and validation using examples and discuss techniques employed in validation activities for new product and process design. (5 Marks)

 

New Product Development and Managing Innovation

1. You’re part of the strategy team at an educational technology startup targeting young adults. Your task is to lead the development of a new product aimed at providing learning opportunities for individuals in their late teens and twenties. The product will cover various subjects such as coding, music, arts, etc. Explain your approach throughout the different stages of the generic product design and development process. (10 Marks)

2. What components constitute product packaging, and what functions does packaging fulfill? Consider the role of packaging through the perspective of e-commerce platforms in India (e.g., Amazon, Big Basket, Myntra, Meesho). Discuss the significance of product packaging in this context. (10 Marks)

3a. You hold the position of product manager at a cutting-edge technology startup. Your friend is establishing a business and seeks guidance on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR). Clarify the different forms of IPR and emphasize the importance of integrating IPR considerations into new product development. Offer an illustrative example for each type of IPR.     (5 Marks)

Let’s say you’re part of the team at FitSprint, a startup specializing in Android app development. FitSprint seeks your expertise in analyzing various product features for their upcoming fitness tracking app using the Kano model. Provide a concise overview of the Kano model and discuss its classifications of features within the realm of smartphone applications. (5 marks)

 

Treasury Management in Banking

1. RBI is building up Forex Reserves thru buying USD from the inter-bank market to maintain INR volatility and then doing INR sterilisation to avoid money supply. Explain the impact of this RBI action on Money Supply & inflation. (10 Marks)

2. In view of the Geo-political situation world-wide, what are the products provided by banks to Corporates to hedge forex risk and interest rate risk. Explain with example. (10 Marks)

3. Explain the role of the Treasurer considering:

a) What are challenges in International Treasury Management? (5 Marks)

b) What are the Best Practices for International Treasury Management? (5 Marks)

 

International Banking & Foreign Exchange Management

Q1. Suppose that you have just been hired as an Economist by the IMF. Explain to your friends what your organization does and its importance in the world. (10 Marks)

Q2. Ajay is a Non Resident Indian (NRI) and wants to open a bank account in India. Describe the different kinds of accounts that he can open. Discuss the features of these accounts and distinguish between them.  (10 Marks)

Insurance and risk management

Q1. ABC Insurance Company, a prominent participant in the property and liability insurance domain, encountered the formidable obstacle of providing insurance coverage for properties situated in regions at high risk of natural calamities, including hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires. Although these policies offered policyholders necessary coverage, there was a significant  risk  of  suffering  enormous  losses  in  the  event  of  a  catastrophic  occurrence. In order to tackle this obstacle, XYZ Insurance Company put in place a strong reinsurance plan. They collaborated with a number of elite reinsurers to disperse the risk of disastrous occurrences over a larger range. By doing this, XYZ Insurance Company hoped to lessen its vulnerability to significant losses while still being able to carry out its policy responsibilities. Enumerate  the  term  “Reinsurance”  and  highlight  the  various  areas  of  application  of Reinsurance.  (10 Marks)

Q2. In the insurance sector, risk management holds significant importance. Provide a detailed explanation of the risk management process, including its individual steps.  (10 Marks)

Q3a. Consider yourself an insurance company’s legal counsel. A client has approached you regarding property insurance. The insured interest is the client’s worry. Explain the concept of insurable interest. Write a thorough answer outlining the meaning of insurable interest for your customer and provide the details on the essentials of insurable interest.  (5 Marks)

Q3b. Vishal insured his car for ₹15,00,000, but it was stolen shortly afterward. The insurance company will compensate him for the loss as per the policy terms. However, if Vishal later recovers his car, the insurer will retain full ownership rights to it. This is because Vishal has already received compensation for the loss and is not permitted to profit from the situation in any way. Identify the underlined principle of insurance stated in the above scenario. Also, mention the important aspects on the stated principle and its limitations. (5 Marks)

 

International Logistics & Supply Chain Management

Q1. An  international  medical  device manufacturing  company  exports  its  products  to India where its customers are served through its sole national distribution agent. With the growing Indian market and the benefits of the production-linked incentives offered by the Indian government, it has sensed a lucrative opportunity for setting up its manufacturing operations in India to cater to not just the domestic market but the entire Indian subcontinent region. How can the company go about its supply chain planning? Suggest appropriate supply chain strategy / strategies for the same. (10 marks)

Q2. A leading Indian perfume brand is planning an expansion to export its products to countries in the Indian subcontinent region. What are the various factors it must consider in planning the logistics for the exports? Suggest the appropriate choice of logistics strategy (in-house / outsourcing, etc.) for the same. (10 marks)

Q3. An Indian importer of glassware products is setting up its manufacturing operations in India for which it will need to import silica sand & quartz sand into India.

a) Compare the various options of transportation modes to import the silica sand & quartz sand, and explain the choice of the appropriate transportation modes. (5 marks)

b) From which countries can the importer import silica sand & quartz sand? How can it facilitate such import procurement over the long term in a consistent & reliable manner?                                         (5 marks)

 

IT Security and Risk Management

Q1. What is the definition of Information Security, and how does it encompass the principles of confidentiality, integrity, and availability (commonly known as the CIA triad)? Why is maintaining information security critical in various industries and environments, such as business, healthcare, government, and education? Discuss the potential risks and consequences when one or more aspects of the CIA triad are compromised, providing specific examples or scenarios where these principles play a crucial role in protecting sensitive information and ensuring organizational resilience. Also explain how best practices in information security can help organizations mitigate threats, safeguard data, and maintain operational continuity.     (10 Marks)

Q2. Imagine you’re a cybersecurity consultant tasked with improving the access control system for a multinational corporation. In this scenario, the company operates in multiple regions with diverse workforce demographics, including remote employees, contractors, and on-site staff. Your objective is to enhance the existing access control mechanisms to ensure robust   security   while   accommodating   the   organization’s   dynamic   environment. Describe the identification and authentication techniques you would recommend for this scenario. Provide examples of specific authentication methods, such as passwords, biometrics, multifactor authentication (MFA), and single sign-on (SSO), and explain their suitability in different usage scenarios within the corporation. Additionally, discuss any potential challenges or limitations associated with implementing these techniques on a large scale and propose strategies to address them effectively.  (10 Marks)

Q3. You are a cybersecurity analyst working for a major financial institution that has experienced several security incidents in recent months. The incidents include unauthorized access to sensitive customer information, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and malware     infections     that     have     caused     significant     operational     disruptions. In this scenario, you are tasked with preparing a report for the company’s executive team, explaining the differences between security threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities.

a) Describe the common types of security threats and attacks that can affect a financial institution like yours, outlining their potential impacts on data confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Provide examples of specific threats such as phishing, ransomware, DDoS, SQL injection, and insider threats. (5 Marks)

b) Explain how these threats differ from vulnerabilities, and why understanding the distinction is critical for effective cybersecurity strategy. Highlight typical sources of vulnerabilities, like outdated software, misconfigurations, or weak access controls, and describe how vulnerabilities can be exploited by various security threats and attacks. Conclude your report with recommendations for mitigating these threats, addressing vulnerabilities, and strengthening the organization’s overall security posture.

 

Digital Payments

Q1. Analyze the factors driving the widespread adoption of digital wallets among consumers and businesses, highlighting key benefits and functionalities they offer. Evaluate the potential challenges and risks associated with the use of digital wallets and Discuss strategies to mitigate these challenges and enhance the trustworthiness and resilience of digital wallet systems.   (10 Marks)

Q2. Analyze the factors contributing to the rise of Bitcoin as a decentralized digital currency. Assess the potential benefits and challenges of Bitcoin’s integration into the traditional financial landscape.  Discuss the key  technological innovations that underpin Bitcoin’s decentralized nature, including blockchain technology and cryptographic principles. (10 Marks)

A local bakery has decided to implement digital payment options alongside its traditional cash-based transactions to accommodate changing consumer preferences and enhance convenience for its customers.

a) Assess the factors influencing the local bakery’s decision to adopt digital payments. Analyze the potential benefits and challenges associated with integrating digital payment solutions into the bakery’s operations. (5 Marks)

b) Investigate how the introduction of digital payment options affects transaction volume, average transaction value, and customer retention. Discuss strategies the bakery can employ to maximize the benefits of digital payments while mitigating any challenges or risks. (5 Marks)

 

Advanced Supply Chain Management

Q1. Discuss how you will create an efficient transportation network which can play a pivotal role in ensuring a responsive supply chain for your organizations.  (10 Marks)

Q2. DMart Ready is the online service provided by DMart a grocery brand. It allows its customers to conveniently order groceries, staples, and daily household essentials online. DMart Ready has established several pick-up  points for customer’s convenience.  Which distribution network design would DMart Ready would be using for this? Differentiate it with other distribution network. (10 Marks)

Q3. Your organization is designing its supply chain needs to consider both pricing and revenue management so that it earns good profit without compromising on customer satisfaction.

a) What pricing strategy will you recommend to ensure maximization of growth in the revenue for your organization if it is catering to multiple segments. (Consider any organization of your choice, give examples) (5 Marks)

b) If your organization considers a markdown management, discuss the markdown management process steps you would plan. (5 Marks)

 

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